Former Benue State Deputy Governor, Steven Lawani, has revealed that he was promised a ministerial appointment after contributing to President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the state during the 2023 presidential election.
Lawani disclosed that he was disappointed after being informed, shortly before the announcement of ministerial nominees, that his name was not on the list.
The former deputy governor made the revelation during an interview with Trust TV, where he recounted his involvement in the campaign and the expectations that followed his contribution to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Lawani, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, approached him to help coordinate Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Benue State ahead of the 2023 election.
He explained that he was outside Nigeria at the time, enjoying a holiday in Dubai, when he received the request to return and participate in the campaign.
Lawani said he subsequently returned to the country and spent several months working towards securing victory for Tinubu and the APC in the state.
He added that, based on assurances he had received, he anticipated being rewarded with a ministerial position after the election.
“I was told I would be a minister, and I looked forward to that. And thanked the authorities who told me that, but three or four days to the announcement, I was called upon and told my name was not there,” he said.
The former deputy governor did not disclose further details about who informed him that his name had been excluded from the list or the reasons given for the decision.
Lawani served as deputy governor of Benue State under former Governor Gabriel Suswam between 2007 and 2015.
His revelation offers an insight into the expectations surrounding political support during the 2023 presidential campaign and the disappointment he said followed his anticipated ministerial appointment.
President Tinubu was inaugurated on May 29, 2023, following his victory in the presidential election held on February 25 of the same year.
